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Please keep in mind that we can customize a tour to your particular needs. Perfect for families, small groups and couples traveling together. For groups of four or more we highly recommend a private driver/guide with private transport.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Shannon / Cliffs of Moher
Arrive Shannon and pick up your Hertz Rental Car. Drive to Ennis and enjoy your first Irish breakfast before taking a leisurely stroll through this lively market town.
Visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which extend for seven miles along Ireland’s wild Atlantic coastline. Continue on to Ballynahinch Castle Hotel for your 3-night stay. This 450-acre estate includes woodlands, rivers, and walks, and a stunning backdrop of the 12 Bens Mountain range.
Ballynahinch has been at the forefront of the campaign to protect the wild fisheries of Connemara.
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Day 2: The Burren / Doolin / Lahinch
This morning allow an expert guide to take you on a fascinating walking tour of the lunar-like landscape of the Burren. Visit a range of historic monuments and unique habitats featuring geology, natural history and botany. The Burren is home to 22 species of Orchid and hundreds of stone-age Druidic pagan altars. Visit the quaint coastal towns of Doolin and Lahinch. Perhaps finish off your day with a visit to the Ailwee Caves.
Day 3: Galway City / Connemara / Clifden
Take a drive to Galway, known as the city of the tribes. Enjoy some shopping and exploring. The Galway Oyster Festival is held every September and draws a great international gathering. Galway is also home to many artists and musicians offering colorful shops with unique art and rare books.
Continue west into the hauntingly beautiful scenery of Connemara, where Twelve Bens tower over the turf bogs, ancient stone walls and thatched cottages. Continue to Clifden and Sky Road for some beautiful scenery. Make a stop in Roundstone for Guinness and chowder before returning to Ballynahinch for your final night in County Galway.
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Day 4: Kinnitty Castle / Castle Demesne & Gardens / Tullamore Dew
Kinnitty Castle is close to the picturesque village of Kinnitty, set beautifully against a backdrop of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ireland’s only designated Environmental Park.
The Castle has a long and turbulent history dating back to1209. It was destroyed and rebuilt not once but twice and yet it retains character and oozes charm. The castle even has its own ghost – a monk no less!!!!!!
Visit Birr Castle Demesne and Gardens, which has been in the Parsons Family for over 400 years. Today, the castle is the home of Lord and Lady Rosse. After lunch visit Tullamore Dew and enjoy one of Ireland’s beloved whiskeys. Drive back to Kinnitty and enjoy a tour of Leap Castle by its owner, a storyteller in the old Irish tradition.
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Day 5: Aran Islands / Westport / Cong / Mayo
Today you may wish to take a ferry to see the famous Aran Islands. Inis Mor (The Big Island) is the largest of the three Aran Islands and is home to the pre-historic fort of Dun Aengus. The island is dotted with churches and small plots of land enclosed by stone walls. Gaelic is the first language here.
As an alternative you can stay on the mainland and visit the village of Cong, where the movie “The Quiet Man” was made. If you get to Westport in County Mayo be sure to visit Westport House and Country Estate, a fine Georgian mansion, home to the Earl of Sligo.
Day 6: Limerick / King John’s Castle / Adare
Take a tour south to visit Limerick City, made famous by “Angela’s Ashes.” You may visit King John’s Castle and see the Treaty Stone here. Head south to the picturesque village of Adare and enjoy a stroll while shopping for crafts. Enjoy a visit to the old Abbey followed by refreshments at Adare Manor.
Return to Kinnitty Castle for your final evening and a great night of traditional music in the Dungeon of the Castle, where local musicians will entertain into the night.
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Day 7: Shannon Airport
Drive to Shannon Airport for your return flight home. Enjoy some duty free shopping before you go. Slán abhaile!
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Trip Extensions
You may wish to extend your stay by adding an additional night to one of the castles above.
OR
Where will Ireland take you …….
Other attractive add-on offers are available for Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork & Killarney.
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2-Nights Dublin Stay from $210 Per Person: Trinity College, Temple Bar, Guinness Storehouse, National Gallery |
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2-Nights Kilkenny Stay from $210 Per Person: Kilkenny Design Centre, Historic Kells, Kilkenny Castle, Thomastown |
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2-Nights Waterford Stay from $245 Per Person: Viking Towns of Waterford & Wexford, House of Waterford Crystal, JFK Arboretum |
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2-Nights Cork Stay from $225 Per Person: Cork City, Middleton Distillery, Cobh, Blarney, Kinsale |
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2-Nights Killarney Stay from $195 Per Person: Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House |
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| Contact a Destinations representative for more information about this fantastic Ireland vacation! |
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